Small Ruminants Research Program

OBJECTIVES

The overall objective is to improve small ruminant production through coordination of research endeavors in the country.Our vision is make the country self sufficient in mutton production and to improve the quality of wool for domestic as well for export purposes.

1. A research based development program aimed at sustainable improvement of small ruminant production.

2. To coordinate the small ruminant research and development program of the participating units to avoid research duplication.

3. To arrange annual meeting/seminars of scientists and stockholders participating in the program to formulate the annual research plan to be followed by various coordinating units. This planning is based on rational needs of the sector

FACILITIES

1. Sheds for conducting experiment / production potential trials on sheep and goats.

2. Wool Testing Laboratory, ASI, NARC.

CURRENT RESEARCH

RADP Project, Study on production potential of different sheep and goats for mutton production under high input system

ACHIEVEMENTS

In order to explore the fattening potential of Beetal goats and Thalli sheep, a study was planned in the year 2009 to assess the production potential of these breeds keeping in view the following objectives:

To compare different production systems with traditional to increase small ruminant production

To evaluate the carcass quality of kids and lambs as affected by various production systems

To determine the economic feasibility of raising selected sheep and goat breeds under different production systems.

To evaluate the production potential of farmer’s flocks through up-gradation with exotic germplasm in the project areas.

Some insights from the study are being elaborated here for general information.

Mostly the fodder used for the trials was Millet, Jantar and Oats. The concentrate (CP, 26.1%; TDN, 75.6%) prepared by Feed Technology Unit, ASI, NARC was used for the research trials. Forty two male Beetal goats (1.5 years old) and twenty one male Thalli sheep (6 month old) were utilized during the year (2011-12). The male Beetal goats were randomly divided into three groups viz., group 1 fed concentrate along-with normal grazing, group 2 fed NRC 100% along-with normal grazing, and group 3 given concentrate ad libitum along-with normal grazing. The results and findings are presented in table 1:

Table 1. Performance of Beetal Male Goat at NARC

Particulars

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

No. of animals on trial (n)

13

14

15

Mean Initial body wt. (kg)

24.6±1.04

28.6±2.01

28.8±2.16

Total weight gain (kg)

28.0

30.7

33.6

Daily wt. gain (gm/animal)

132

145

156

Daily feed intake (gm/animal)

600

1021

953

Cost of Daily feed intake (Rs./animal)

15.40

26.20

24.50

FCR

5.6

7.0

6.51

Cost Benefit Ratio (Rs. /kg gain)

117

181

157

The male Thalli sheep were purchased from the open market and after adaptation period, they were trialed. The male Thalli sheep were randomly divided into three groups viz., group 1 in which animals were supplemented with concentrate along-with normal grazing, group 2 in which animals were given NRC 100% along-with normal grazing, group 3 in which animals were given concentrate ad libitum along-with normal grazing. The results obtained are presented in table 2:

Table 2. Performance of Thalli Male Sheep at NARC

Particulars

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

No. of animals on trial

6

7

8

Mean Initial body wt. (kg)

26.5±6.46

24.4±4.12

23.1±5.71

Mean Daily wt. gain (gm/animal)

108

104

107

Mean Daily feed intake (gm/animal)

677

896

821

Average Cost of daily feed intake/animal (Rs.)

17.4

23.0

21.1

FCR

6.27

8.61

7.67

Cost Benefit Ratio (Rs./kg gain)

161

221

197

Trials conducted on different sheep and goat breeds revealed that animals from the age of 6 months to 9 months did not give good weight gain. The animals weight gain started after 9 months and onwards. The feedlot activities are more profitable in winter than summer. In summer, the animals did not gain weight due to heat stress and weight gain is more attainable during winter season. The animals should be given less concentrate as recommended by NRC requirement, if grazing and fodder availability is there.

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